Exxon's elite team of scientists discover the greenhouse effect, but when they report their findings, the company's bosses are less than thrilled. Exxon slashes research funding, but NASA scientist James Hansen's testimony to Congress reveals a startling secret!
The producers for the new Paramount+ docuseries Black Gold knew there's one voice you need to tell any story about "the plot to trade our planet for profit" by oil tycoons: Investigative climate journalist Amy Westervelt.
An interview with Westervelt helps frame the narrative, with Amy doing what she's done her whole career: Explaining in clear, vivid language the misdeeds and machinations of oil companies in facilitating climate change and then covering their tracks.
Westervelt is one of the most prominent and prolific reporters revealing spin and lies from oil companies in articles (see her recent work in The Guardian) and several hit podcasts: Drilled, a true-crime style podcast about climate change, currently airing its sixth season, about "New Climate Villains." David Wallace Wells of the New York Times called it "eye-opening, gripping, outrageous."
Damages, her newest show, which dives deep into climate lawsuits around the world. Why are some countries declaring "ecocide" a crime? How can wild rice sue someone?
Hot Take, her conversational podcast with climate essayist Mary Annaïse Heglar, recently acquired by Crooked Media.
Rigged, her podcast exploring the history of disinformation. Launched last fall, season two coming later this year.
You can listen to these podcasts here.
Paramount+ released its gripping three-part documentary BLACK GOLD from Oscar-nominated director Darren Aronofsky’s PROTOZOA and TIME Studios on May 17.
“We are incredibly excited to bring such a captivating documentary from such a renowned filmmaker to Paramount+,” said Tanya Giles, chief programming officer at Paramount+. “BLACK GOLD offers viewers the opportunity to gain insight and immerse themselves in the investigation into a global conspiracy that is relevant to today’s current events.”
“BLACK GOLD is the truly epic story of a scientific discovery that rocked the world and a conspiracy to cover it up that threatens our existence,” said Darren Aronofsky. “I am thrilled to be working with TIME Studios, Paramount+ and Iconic to bring it to theaters and screens around the world.”
BLACK GOLD is the story of the cover-up of the century – of the boss atop a trillion-dollar industry who discovered a shocking truth 40 years ago, created a black ops conspiracy to hide the evidence, and would stop at nothing to keep the money flowing as the world burned. A CEO nicknamed Iron-Ass, whistleblowers from Exxon’s own labs, professional climate deniers and spin doctors, a NASA scientist and a U.S. vice president are among the characters in this thriller based on a decades-long plot to trade our planet for profit.
CBS News partnered with TIME Studios to produce BLACK GOLD, leveraging the reporting and access of TIME in combination with the rich archive of CBS News to chronicle the decades-long conspiracy.
In a release, Steve Bunnell, chief executive officer of Iconic Events Releasing, said, “Anyone filling up their gas tank these days and wondering about the price at the pump should want to see this movie immediately. This is excellent quality investigative journalism, and it’s as real, timely and topical as any issue facing this country and our world today. Iconic is proud that this specially created theatrical version will be presented as a cinema event prior to its platform debut.”
From the perspective of the podcasting industry, the valuable contributions of podcaster and investigative journalist Amy Westervelt reveals again how podcasting is at the forefront of identifying and reporting on critical social, cultural, economic and environmental issues.
What Erin Brockovich did for a town, Amy Westervelt is trying to do for our planet.
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